Exeter seventh grader to march in inaugural parade with service dog

EXETER — One 12-year-old’s love for animals and helping others has turned into a chance of a lifetime.

On Monday, 7th grader Josie Greenston, of Exeter, will participate in the inaugural parade, along with 9-month-old dog named Manny, whom Josie has been training for the past seven months.

Josie has been training the puppy as part of her volunteer efforts for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). After completing his training program, Manny, a Labrador and golden retriever mix, will go on to provide advanced assistance to adults and children with disabilities.

For a year and a half, Josie has been charged with teaching Manny 32 basic commands, as well as socialization, walking on a leash, not getting distracted, and bonding with humans. Her efforts will prepare him for advanced training with CCI, before the dog gets matched with a person with a disability.

CCI was one of the organizations chosen to participate Monday’s inaugural parade, and through a lottery drawing, Josie became one of the CCI volunteers selected to travel to Washington, D.C., and walk beside Manny at the historic event.

“When I grow up, if I get married and have kids, I can tell my kids I walked in the inauguration parade,” said Josie.

On Monday, she will be one of about 135 parade participants representing CCI. Fifty-seven dogs will be participating as well.

Josie, who wants to be a veterinarian, got involved with the CCI while searching for a project for her Bat Mitzvah, taking place this May.

“I love animals and I’ve wanted to help someone for a really long time,” she said.

Josie’s great-grandmother became paralyzed after suffering from a stoke at 27 years of age, and Josie says she’s considered how much of a help it would have been for her to have an assistance dog.

So far, Josie has taught Manny commands such as “sit,” “shake,” “down,” and “touch.” The “touch” command will be helpful in teaching Manny how to turn light switches on and off down the road, she said.

The Exeter girl has even taught the dog to “hurry” — to go to the bathroom on command. Josie’s mother, Holly Greenston, recalled a family visit to Lowe’s with Manny, during which her husband told a family member to hurry up, making Manny go to the bathroom on the cement floor.

Because of Manny’s yellow cape, telling the public he is an assistance dog in training, the puppy can travel to any public place, including movie theaters, restaurants, and stores. Josie said she is encouraged to get Manny into various environments, as part of his socialization and recalling the various commands despite a change in scenery.

Josie said she brings Manny to her synagogue, Temple Israel in Portsmouth, quite often. Now, Manny sits up whenever he hears the Adon Olam prayer.

“She’s done such a good job with him,” said Holly about her daughter’s commitment to training Manny.

She said that Josie has had to give up activities such as sleepovers and socializing with friends, in order to fully take care of the puppy.

For Josie, the responsibility is worth it, she says.

On Monday, Josie and Manny will be walking in the inaugural parade with Lisa Richard, of CCI, who gives Josie assistance and advice when it comes to training.

“I’m really excited, I get to honor CCI. I also feel like I’m representing my school,” said Josie, a student at Heronfield Academy in Hampton Falls.

Josie said that while she would love to get a chance to meet the president on Monday and say “hello,” President Barack Obama will likely be “surrounded by big buff guys in black suits,” she said.

In about a year, Josie will have to say goodbye to Manny, and while she admits it will be a sad day, she says it’s a good feeling to know he will go on to help another person.

“He will help someone with their life — instead of sitting at home and watching TV, that person will go outside, go to the movies, and enjoy life,” said Josie.

Holly emphasized that CCI, a nonprofit that highly depends on volunteers, needs more people to be puppy raisers. She said her daughter is one of just a handful of people in the state helping train a puppy for the organization.